Another newbie from down-under!

Hi folks - I've been interested in hunting all my life - have done a bit here in New Zealand but not as much as I'd have liked. But like many of you, I've always dreamed of Africa. Now as my 60th birthday approaches, I've put an Africa trip on my bucket list. I bought a CZ550 in 416 Rigby which I've just had Africanised and I'm learning how to shoot it.

The animals I'd like to hunt are cape buffalo (because it's one of the big 5) and zebra (for the skin), but I don't really know how to get started. I'm worried about booking a hunt on line - it's an awful lot on money to commit and I'm not sure how to tell who is trustworthy.

Any advice about where and with whom to book would be appreciated! Kind regards, Greg.

..:welcome:..to AH. Do like the Brickburner says and you'll be safely on your way. There be some knowledgeable guys on this here site that will help you along..think twice, though, on any advice you may get from Spike or Bluey or Bob.

..how I love the whisper of a finely tuned 308 and the serenity it bestows upon a troubled mind..

Hi g-factor.I am also a recent joiner, and as I said in my introduction, I would gladly assist(without anything coming my way from my recommendations) in any way possible to give advise on a few Outfitters.Welcome to AH

..:welcome:..to AH. Do like the Brickburner says and you'll be safely on your way. There be some knowledgeable guys on this here site that will help you along..think twice, though, on any advice you may get from Spike or Bluey or Bob.

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welcome and enjoy the site gfactor
you definitely have come to the right place for honest info mate
there are lots of great outfitters on here and once you click with one or ten of them look into some or all the reports on here about them and private message the hunters that wrote the reports
when were you thinking of going and where abouts do you want to hunt

see you met the doc .

THE HUNTER; The person that pays over 90% of the cost for the presavation and maintance of wildlife and gets zero credit for it ................

Welcome g-factor. There is a lot of wisdom to be gleened from the folks on this site and you will get pretty honest advice.

My 2 cents worth;
Short list the animals you really want to hunt.
Get firm prices from outfitters and sort which country you want to hunt..(cost from country to country can vary markedly)
Decide on your budget. (then add 5-10% for the unexpected)

Allow yourself plenty of time and don't think it's all to daunting. There's a lot of enjoyment to be had in the planning.

Welcome to the forums, I'm sure you will find plenty of information to help you on your way. One thing to consider is using an agent, someone like myself, we specialize in helping clients find, book and plan their hunts. drop me an email, I'll be more than happy to help.

Welcome to AH Greg! You'll find plenty of great outfitters and agents here on AH simply check them out and see what they have to offer and if you have any questions just fire away and we'll try to anwser them for you the best we can as already stated you've come to the right place to do your research and get good honest answers. Enjoy the site.

..:welcome:..to AH. Do like the Brickburner says and you'll be safely on your way. There be some knowledgeable guys on this here site that will help you along..think twice, though, on any advice you may get from Spike or Bluey or Bob.

..:. There be some knowledgeable guys on this here site that will help you along..think twice, though, on any advice you may get from Spike or Bluey or Bob.

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hi there g-factor you have made a good start with your rifle and calibre choice, but remember 2014 isnt too far away in hunt booking time factor. as has been said a big factor in where you hunt will be your budget and the other species you want to hunt, as to which country you can choose. if you can run to it a 10+ days safari in one of the good tanzanian areas would be a good choice, and on a 10 day hunt there you are usually allowed 2 buff on licence plus your other animals. its not cheap though.

and me thinks Doc has been living near the sea for too long as he is starting to sound like a pirate :loco::biggrin2:

Hi g-factor!
Welcome to AH. Many reputable outfit right here on AH, so if you keep it in-house, you would have a hard time going the wrong way .Have a CZ in .416 Rigby myself and fell in love with it the first time I shot it. Enjoy it.